I was in a very deep sleep last night…a very deep one, but something stirred me from my warm bed. I swear I heard a voice. For a moment I just laid there straining my ears to hear if the voice echoed out again. Sure enough, the voice could be heard again calling out for help. I jumped to my feet and ran down the hallway to our son’s room where his light was burning brightly. He was sitting on the edge of his bed with a panicked look on his face and tears in his eyes. When he saw me he said, “The alarm is beeping and I don’t know how to turn it off.” Ty was referring to the alarm clock in his room. The power in our home had gone out yesterday and something must have caused it to accidentally set itself. The repeated beeping noise had scared him out of his sleep and when he failed to shut it off on his own he called out to someone who could help him.Ty’s cry for help was not lengthy or colored with flowery language, but in a moment of desperation he cried out for help and I ran to help him. Sometimes followers of Christ have this idea that the more words they pray, the more likely God is to listen. Although I am certainly not against consistent and structured prayer, I believe God rushes to help the desperate cries of those who are His. I am reminded of 1 Peter 3:12, “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”Are you in a desperate situation today? Cry out to God and He will be there to help!Psalm 121:1 I look up to the mountains – does my help come from there? 2 My help comes from the LORD, who made the heavens and the earth! 3 He will not let you stumble and fall; the one who watches over you will not sleep. 4 Indeed, he who watches over Israel never tires and never sleeps. 5 The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade. 6 The sun will not hurt you by day, nor the moon at night. 7 The LORD keeps you from all evil and preserves your life. 8 The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.”

Ever had one of those annoying tags in the back of your shirt that causes extreme irritation on your neck? I have…and I had that problem this morning. When I arrived at work, my neck felt like it was being rubbed raw by this stupid tag. Since we had staff devotions first thing this morning, I had to wait thirty minutes before I could take care of this major irritant. As soon as that half-hour was up, I ran to my office. This “run” was more like a brisk walk such as when you have to use the bathroom really bad, but fear that going too fast might cause someone to stop you to ask, “where are you going so fast?” Upon arrival in my office, I scoured my desk drawer for the scissors. When I finally found them, I walked at a hurried pace (again, to avoid conversation) to the bathroom where I ripped my shirt off (unbuttoning it first, of course). In the back of my mind I was hoping that no one would walk into the bathroom to find me there with my shirt off. How would I explain that one? “I was a little hot and needed a little breather”…or, “Pastor has implemented a new dress code…didn’t you get the memo?” Anyhow, I found the stupid culprit and cut it right out of my shirt. I quickly slipped my shirt back on whispering a prayer of thanks for not being discovered shirtless in the bathroom and I headed back to my office. It felt so good to continue my day without something irritating me!

Oh, how I wish that all irritating circumstances were that easy to solve; however, usually there are one or two or even several things (or people) which irritate us. It may be a nagging temptation. It may be your boss, family member, or friend. It may be a weakness or health issue. It may be dissatisfaction with an area of your life. Whatever it is, it causes irritation in everyday life without much relief. The apostle Paul had one of these irritating circumstances and he called it his “thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7). Some speculate it was bad eyesight, but Scripture seems to indicate that it was a person whom he called a “messenger of Satan.” Those are pretty strong words. After pleading with God to remove this annoying person from him, Paul realized that God had allowed this trial to come into his life to keep him humble (2 Corinthians 12:8). Trials and temptations have a unique way of keeping us dependent on God. Although God never promises to remove all hardship, He does promise the strength to cope (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

Have an irritating tag in the back of your shirt?

The other day I was on my way home from work and right before I arrived at my house, I passed by a park which is located near our neighborhood. To my surprise, I saw this lady standing in the parking area doing yoga. I had to do a double take because she was standing on one foot with both hands in the air and her other leg was bent so her foot was rested against the side of her leg. Of course, I like to honk my horn at literally anything (and then wave the other way) but I could not convince my hand that this was the right thing to do…although it would have been funny to watch her lose concentration and possibly even fall! That would have made my day! I have a warped sense of humor and it really doesn’t take that much to entertain me. Even though I only saw her for a few seconds, I could tell that this woman was totally focused. There were people walking by her, cars driving past (with people tempted to beep their horn), and lots of other potential distractions but she had single vision. I’ve never done yoga so I’m not sure what that vision was, but it captured her mind. Most of us have one or two particular things which capture much of our time. For me, it happens to be family and church ministry but for others it may be education, an occupation, a hobby, motherhood/fatherhood, a pursuit of a relationship, or a number of other things. Oftentimes these areas of importance have obstacles. By obstacles I mean people or circumstances which cause us to lose focus on that which is important. Most people react to adversity by changing jobs, finding a new relationship, abandoning a dream, or just simply giving up. However, don’t always view obstacles as negative. James was writing to discouraged and frustrated believers who were tempted to give up on their faith because of persecution, but James advised them to remain focused. He writes, “Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2-4). Ignoring the doubts of others and refusing to quit will eventually give way to maturity. Instead of giving up on a friendship, waking up from your dream, or giving in to pressure, stay focused on that which is important.

My kids have been attending a day program at our church camp this past week. My son, Ty, got to catch up with a friend he met last year at camp and was very excited to see him again. In fact, we were able to have him over to our house tonight so that they could play for a little while. Immediately following day camp, Ty came home and there was about an hour or so before his friend was to arrive. If you remember what it was like being a kid, this hour was long and painful for my son. I seem to recall the same feelings when I was young and excited about something…time seemed to drag on. I would often get impatient and keep asking my parents when it was time. If memory serves me right, I stood at the front window of our house waiting in anticipation of what the future held. Today when I caught a glimpse of my son perched at our front window peering at the empty driveway awaiting the arrival of his friend, I thought about how life changes as we get older. Times of waiting are still a major factor in our lives, but often the patience is through times of pain. Instead of anticipating an exciting adventure, we await relief from private pain and hurt. Instead of waiting at the window anticipating the arrival of a friend, we wonder if help will ever arrive. Have you ever been there? Maybe you are staring out the window right now.

I must be honest, I’ve been through disappointments and frustrations, but compared to others I am not familiar with extreme pain. My heart aches for those who are hurt, broken, and confused about life, having encountered situations which have driven them to the point of emptiness. I have stood in the same room with many people who were looking out the window wondering how much longer. Even though I am supposed to represent God and provide easy answers to these people, I often find myself just being silent or admitting my inability to find words to explain. Why God? Why do these things happen? There are probably many things we’ll never figure out or understand, but those who put their faith in Jesus Christ have hope. Hope does not always guarantee a quick solution or total deliverance in this lifetime, but it does promise a future existence without pain, suffering, and emptiness (Revelation 21:1-4). The book of Lamentations reminds the reader that “It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.” Paul added that if we only have hope in this life only, “we are of all men most miserable” (1 Corinthians 15:19). You may be standing at the window and asking God how long.

Ty’s friend finally arrived tonight and right on time.